His monologues and his dry wit was the finest example of British humour, sadly missed, no swearing but an underlying nudge nudge wink wink, genius, his off key piano playing was hilarious
Brilliant. As others have said - to be able to play a piano like that badly, actually takes real skill. It’s not just banging the keys randomly. I went to school with his daughter, and he was a lovely man, a true comedy genius. Thank you for uploading.
Les Dawson was a legend who will never be forgotten. The way he told jokes and his all round banter was total perfection. Everyone knows that he was a good pianist but his off key piano playing was so funny. Even Blankety Blank was worth watching and very funny when Les hosted it. These so called comedians today haven't got a clue about being funny. Les is irreplaceable .
That is the true mark of a comedian.....Knowing that swear words are simply nothing on their own..... They are simply a tool to be used when all else fails. Les understood that...just a shame that many do not have that same intelligence.
There's tons of post 1980s comedians that don't swear. And a lot of comedians back then were blue as hell outside of TV because a) you couldnt swear on TV and b) live shows werent recorded.
One of the true greats, he left us far too soon. Les was actually quite an accomplished pianist, he developed his talent playing out of key as part of his comedy routine. A great Manchester northern comedian, never foul mouthed, just a huge talent.
It is true, to play a piano out of key you really have to be a very good pianist. Les is one comedian who could always be guaranteed to absolutely crack me up with laughter. Whenever Parky interviewed him, he was always falling about with laughter. RIP Les, and thanks for all the smiles you gave me and everyone. We all loved you, and still do. I miss you a lot.
I was crossing the road in Blackpool once and he didn't see me, almost knocked me over, I looked & through his windscreen he gave me that expression where he scrunched up his lips and I started laughing. Great Man.
Les Dawson never even had to say anything before your in fits of laughter. There truly isn't enough accolades you could have bestowed on this man for his comic genius.
He was born not far from where I grew up in Collyhurst, Manchester, dirt poor but the people were as good as gold. Out of that came a poet, and musical comic genius Les Dawson.
Classic comedy at it's best. We miss you Les, such a funny guy, and so talented, not like the crap we have today, the ones that appear on a quiz show, next thing they're hailed as the year's funniest and brightest talent??? yeh whatever!! They're easily forgotten, and there in lies the difference, Les even now in 2016 you're still making us laugh. It's a pity that you and Roy never did a royal variety performance as the classic cissy and ada characters, god that would have been fantastic. I hope one day that the powers that be put out a compilation of all of your cissy and ada sketches. There are about a dozen or so on youtube but I'm certain you and Roy did more. Lots of love to you Les, god bless.
I remember the first video I saw of him, brought me to tears cause of the laughter, this one is no exception. The piano playing was what really tickled me cause it’s just so surreal to me. God I love this guy 🤪😂
I went to a party at this guys house once when I was young, he was no longer here but his house and family were very nice. First time I've really searched for him, just recently felt the urge to, funny guy! 🙂
I remember one Sunday afternoon say early 1972 when we went to Whitby TWICE to collect basically some radio junk (ie clearing out someones radio junk room quite unwittingly and used as dupes) .... hearing Les Dawson around 2pm or shortly thereafter on his weekly radio slot in Stockton and me n my Dad were in tears with Les Dawson. Memories fade but that situation and imagery stays with me fifty years on.
Morecombe & Wise , Tommy Cooper , Bob Monkhouse and of course Les made British TV the best in the world for light entertainment in the '70's and 80'. Sadly we've lost them all but there memory lives on , I use to cry with laughing at Les
Les Dawsons was a wordsmith. His piano playing was practised to be that bad in his act. If you listen to his piano playing he plays in the original key, then changes to a minor key then to a major key. That is a skill, he is the only person I have heard that could do it sounding seamless. Rick Wakeman of YES fame said that Les Dawson was the best exponent of playing the piano badly and sounding good.
God bless Les dawson! A true comedy hero that is sadly missed every day!! But thanks for the legacy of laughter left behind. This kind of humor is priceless!! My kids love a bit of les 😁😋😉
What was so clever is that Les played the correct chords with the left hand but then went off key with the tune in the right hand by a tone I think! This takes great skill and is much more difficult than playing properly.
I wish I had been born in the days of Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Norman Wisdom, Laurel and Hardy, Les Dawson and to have seen my hero at the height of his fame Sir Ken Dodd and many more but I get to watch their dvds or videos on UA-cam and laugh till my sides hurt and my eyes are watering with laughing so much 😂😂😂 I love all the old school comedians and comedy programmes ❤️❤️😂😂😂
@@SuperFerdie1965 well that's your opinion your obviously not a fan of slapstick comedy, everyone likes different things and finds different things or people funny and that's fine
@@nicholc7300 Depends who's doing the slapstick though. Laurel and Hardy were fantastic, I just have to think of some of their sketches now and start laughing!
I just watched this yesterday and it still makes me laugh . It’s something to do with Les’s delivery. And no one has tried a similar act since. You’ll hear the calls of people saying they’re ripping off Les Dawson’s act the moment they do.
@@VideotapeFTW basically in a football match between Everton and Liverpool one of the players (Robertson) miskicked the ball and the commentator likened it to les Dawson playing the piano and then his assistant commentator mentioned how many people probably didn’t know who that was so they said that u should look up les Dawson playing the piano, and this is the first video that comes up.
God bless you Les Dawson you were so talented and a comic genius a great man and a carein man who made laugh and happy god took you too soon les RIP LES DAWSON RICHARD
@@VideotapeFTW Peter Drury said Andy Robertson’s slip was laughable, something that Les Dawson would do if he played football. Then asked everyone to look up Dawson playing piano.
@@kirantomsajan7078 Ahhhhh, I see. Thank you! We had different commentators on BT Sport, and I was wondering why I was suddenly getting loads of seemingly unrelated comments on an old upload. You've saved me from going mad. ;-)
God bless Les he was a great man and a great musician and a great comic we will never see Les Dawson s likes again Les will always be sadly missed God bless you Les RIP
There was a documentary about him years ago where his children said he would practice playing the piano the 'right' way for a bit then do it the 'wrong' way. An immensely talented human being.
They're not performing these days, but I saw a documentary about Les not too long ago, and they had a little mini-reunion. Those who were able to couldn't resist doing a few steps. :-)
His monologues and his dry wit was the finest example of British humour, sadly missed, no swearing but an underlying nudge nudge wink wink, genius, his off key piano playing was hilarious
Sadly, we will never see his like again ! RIP Les and thanks for all the laughter x
I'm going through a few Les videos. Omg, I'm in tears . What a legend.
Brilliant. As others have said - to be able to play a piano like that badly, actually takes real skill. It’s not just banging the keys randomly. I went to school with his daughter, and he was a lovely man, a true comedy genius. Thank you for uploading.
A comedian, a pianist, a script-writer, an author and a top bloke ....what a legend.
Les Dawson was a legend who will never be forgotten. The way he told jokes and his all round banter was total perfection. Everyone knows that he was a good pianist but his off key piano playing was so funny. Even Blankety Blank was worth watching and very funny when Les hosted it. These so called comedians today haven't got a clue about being funny. Les is irreplaceable .
Proper comedy - from a true star - and not a swear word to be heard - comic genius sadly missed Les
That is the true mark of a comedian.....Knowing that swear words are simply nothing on their own..... They are simply a tool to be used when all else fails.
Les understood that...just a shame that many do not have that same intelligence.
100% true !!!!! G-d bless you Les
Though he was a lot more blue in his live act on tour!
There's tons of post 1980s comedians that don't swear. And a lot of comedians back then were blue as hell outside of TV because a) you couldnt swear on TV and b) live shows werent recorded.
One of the true greats, he left us far too soon. Les was actually quite an accomplished pianist, he developed his talent playing out of key as part of his comedy routine. A great Manchester northern comedian, never foul mouthed, just a huge talent.
It is true, to play a piano out of key you really have to be a very good pianist. Les is one comedian who could always be guaranteed to absolutely crack me up with laughter. Whenever Parky interviewed him, he was always falling about with laughter. RIP Les, and thanks for all the smiles you gave me and everyone. We all loved you, and still do. I miss you a lot.
Absolutely priceless! Thank you to all who made it appear on YT!
I was crossing the road in Blackpool once and he didn't see me, almost knocked me over, I looked & through his windscreen he gave me that expression where he scrunched up his lips and I started laughing. Great Man.
Where would we be without a laugh? . . .here!
Les Dawson and Eric Morecombe made this life worth laughing at!
Yep - two of the most naturally funny entertainers ever, in my opinion.
Definitely.
Imagine those two coming up the garden path at Christmas!
Les Dawson never even had to say anything before your in fits of laughter. There truly isn't enough accolades you could have bestowed on this man for his comic genius.
That BOY Had Some Talent On The Piano
Bless Up
He was born not far from where I grew up in Collyhurst, Manchester, dirt poor but the people were as good as gold. Out of that came a poet, and musical comic genius Les Dawson.
Classic comedy at it's best. We miss you Les, such a funny guy, and so talented, not like the crap we have today, the ones that appear on a quiz show, next thing they're hailed as the year's funniest and brightest talent??? yeh whatever!! They're easily forgotten, and there in lies the difference, Les even now in 2016 you're still making us laugh. It's a pity that you and Roy never did a royal variety performance as the classic cissy and ada characters, god that would have been fantastic. I hope one day that the powers that be put out a compilation of all of your cissy and ada sketches. There are about a dozen or so on youtube but I'm certain you and Roy did more. Lots of love to you Les, god bless.
In my view, the greatest entertainer this country have ever produced. I would love to have met him
I love his piano playing. Hysterical!
The year I was born. I wish we still had this wonderful man 🙏❤
Brilliant performer - for some reason his piano playing always, without fail, makes me laugh out loud.
I remember the first video I saw of him, brought me to tears cause of the laughter, this one is no exception. The piano playing was what really tickled me cause it’s just so surreal to me.
God I love this guy 🤪😂
RIP Les Dawson!!! Absolute legend!!
"The Roly Polys - decoys for a whaling fleet"...Les at his wonderful best!
Les Dawson and Eric Morecambe yes! Throw in Tommy Cooper and Ronnie Barker for good measure! Nobody can touch them these days!
Thanks so, so much for this! Les went to school with my Granddad and this brings back wonderful memories.
+Dean Clark You're very welcome - glad you enjoyed it! Did your grandfather ever share any stories about Les? (Just curious...)
I always enjoyed watching him ... he even made Blankety Blank worth watching as did Wogan to be fair ..... great clips and great memories
Blankety Blank was basically just a vehicle for Les to get on TV and be funny - and you're right, he made it very much worth watching!
FOO45
I preferred Wogan on Blankety blank, he allowed the celebrities air time, Les hogged the limelight too much.
And only he could get away with taking the Mickey out of the cheap rubbish that the prizes where especially..."A Blankety Blank Chequebook and Pen!"
I went to a party at this guys house once when I was young, he was no longer here but his house and family were very nice. First time I've really searched for him, just recently felt the urge to, funny guy! 🙂
Do yourself a favour and keep browsing UA-cam for his stuff. :-) Even if some of the jokes are dated, Les's act somehow remains timeless.
VideotapeFTW yup, the best stuff always does doesn't it :)
this was when Royal Variety was worth watching. Great memories.
d the 2002 one for half of it
I remember one Sunday afternoon say early 1972 when we went to Whitby TWICE to collect basically some radio junk (ie clearing out someones radio junk room quite unwittingly and used as dupes) .... hearing Les Dawson around 2pm or shortly thereafter on his weekly radio slot in Stockton and me n my Dad were in tears with Les Dawson. Memories fade but that situation and imagery stays with me fifty years on.
Les was brilliant. To be able to play the piano badly and raise a laugh was definitely a skill, and his one liners raised more than one tear.
A great trip down memory lane with one of the funniest ever. Thanks for all the laughs Les.
Morecombe & Wise , Tommy Cooper , Bob Monkhouse and of course Les made British TV the best in the world for light entertainment in the '70's and 80'. Sadly we've lost them all but there memory lives on , I use to cry with laughing at Les
You forgot Brucie! For shame. lol
Les Dawsons was a wordsmith. His piano playing was practised to be that bad in his act. If you listen to his piano playing he plays in the original key, then changes to a minor key then to a major key. That is a skill, he is the only person I have heard that could do it sounding seamless. Rick Wakeman of YES fame said that Les Dawson was the best exponent of playing the piano badly and sounding good.
Has anyone ever heard The Portsmouth Symphonia ?.They do the same sort of thing except with an orchestra...it's hilarious ! And so is Les 🥰🥳
@@sarahope4952 Wow, a whole symphonia? M chk out, they must memorize tricky stuff!
Check out Kev Orkian.
remembered this well thank you for posting
+starlight76able You're welcome - always happy to help bring back some nice memories. :-)
Im crying Les was an absolute genuies
Thanks for sharing this, Les was a true comic genius! Love and peace.
God bless Les dawson! A true comedy hero that is sadly missed every day!! But thanks for the legacy of laughter left behind. This kind of humor is priceless!! My kids love a bit of les 😁😋😉
Les was one of Britain's best. A true legend. He'll always makes me laugh.
Absolutely Fabulous ... irreplaceable
This is the best comedian that the UK ever had. So missed, RIP Les. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Bob Monkhouse did some of his Scripts. He was a very clever man.
Les was a master of his craft the complete entertainer and one hell of a comedian A true Legend
What was so clever is that Les played the correct chords with the left hand but then went off key with the tune in the right hand by a tone I think! This takes great skill and is much more difficult than playing properly.
I wish I had been born in the days of Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Norman Wisdom, Laurel and Hardy, Les Dawson and to have seen my hero at the height of his fame Sir Ken Dodd and many more but I get to watch their dvds or videos on UA-cam and laugh till my sides hurt and my eyes are watering with laughing so much 😂😂😂 I love all the old school comedians and comedy programmes ❤️❤️😂😂😂
And Monkhouse.
@@SuperFerdie1965 Bob monkhouse wasn't my cup of tea
@@nicholc7300
Each to his own. I always found it amazing that Norman Wisdom was considered funny.
@@SuperFerdie1965 well that's your opinion your obviously not a fan of slapstick comedy, everyone likes different things and finds different things or people funny and that's fine
@@nicholc7300
Depends who's doing the slapstick though. Laurel and Hardy were fantastic, I just have to think of some of their sketches now and start laughing!
Rating: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed watching Les on "Jokers Wild" when I was a boy. His one liners from back then are still a crack up today !
This guy is sublime! Just now found him through a comment.
He fits right next to Victor Borge, Benny Hill and Foster Brooks.
Les had the wonderful ability of showing us him really believing in every note he was NOT playing.
God bless you for the laughs......
Excellent funny man n piano play n dance r.i.p les dawson
God bless our Les, what a talent, the likes of which will never be seen again, EVER
I just watched this yesterday and it still makes me laugh . It’s something to do with Les’s delivery. And no one has tried a similar act since. You’ll hear the calls of people saying they’re ripping off Les Dawson’s act the moment they do.
Legend and sorely missed
They don't make them like that anymore. An absolute joy to watch.
Absolutely brilliant. Les, wherever you are, you’re still making us laugh.
Anyone here because of Liverpool vs Everton?
Someone please explain - I'm suddenly getting loads of notifications for a video I uploaded five years ago!
@@VideotapeFTW basically in a football match between Everton and Liverpool one of the players (Robertson) miskicked the ball and the commentator likened it to les Dawson playing the piano and then his assistant commentator mentioned how many people probably didn’t know who that was so they said that u should look up les Dawson playing the piano, and this is the first video that comes up.
@@kyal Thank you - makes perfect sense! (We had different commentators in the UK.)
God bless you Les Dawson you were so talented and a comic genius a great man and a carein man who made laugh and happy god took you too soon les RIP LES DAWSON RICHARD
Good lord that man was funny. A brilliant character actor and comic performer.
Les reminds me of Tommy Cooper - you only have to look at them and you laugh!!😂😂😂🤗😇
Except TOMMY WAS FUNNY, Les tries to be.
@@whosagreed3983 Cruel. He was his own type of comedian. Tommy Cooper was unique in his way on stage too.
True talent, true gentleman = a modern day rarity.
So much talent to play the best wrong note. Hilarious after all these years.
I am here after this was mentioned in the Everton-Liverpool game!
Who said what?
@@VideotapeFTW Peter Drury said Andy Robertson’s slip was laughable, something that Les Dawson would do if he played football. Then asked everyone to look up Dawson playing piano.
@@kirantomsajan7078 Ahhhhh, I see. Thank you! We had different commentators on BT Sport, and I was wondering why I was suddenly getting loads of seemingly unrelated comments on an old upload. You've saved me from going mad. ;-)
Mo was fantastic. To tap dance en pointe, just wow! And Les was hilarious 🤣
Sent here by Jim Beglin
He was a great performer
Pure Talent...What a legacy
Everton Liverpool anyone?
God bless Les he was a great man and a great musician and a great comic we will never see Les Dawson s likes again Les will always be sadly missed God bless you Les RIP
Peter Drury told me to look Les Dawson up
It is harder to play the piano off key than on key......what a serious talent he was.......a wonderful man........
marvelous with some icing on the cake added by the rolley Polly's.
What an great preformance. 👍 thumbs up.
'I love this theatre - it reminds me of home. It stinks and it's full of strangers'.
He was brilliant!!
Who’s here after Liverpool vs Everton
his best quote was,, if pigs could fly, the mother in law would be squadron leader
Love Les Dawson
Brilliant. Heaven must be rocking with laughter every day!!
fantastic
There are not many like him he was one of the best he's playing was brilliant
It takes a true greatness to be so successfully bad. RIP Les!
my mrs ran off with my best mate... god i miss him
Allen Goldsmith
AllenGoldsmith "I knew the mother-in-law had come to stay, I could here her listening to her Hitler war speeches" 😂😂😂
To play a piano badly you have be very good
A genuinely funny man. Very clever chap.
He was Brilliant ❤
we love you Les xx
He was the best host on "Blankety Blank."
I've been looking for a clip similar to this, except the the comedian is playing The Entertainer.
Here: ua-cam.com/video/WWDphFwocAM/v-deo.html
Is there a video compilation of all Les' piano playing? - that would be great!
good old les god rest his soul such a genius when he plays the bad notes makes me laugh so much
Started laughing I have got a cold ended up on the floor coughing and wheezing nearly passed out
Sod it! Lets have a drink with the lads!! (Miss you Les!! xxx)
My mother in law is a test pilot in a broom factory.
He was a bloody genius - playing a piano like that takes more skill than playing it well
There was a documentary about him years ago where his children said he would practice playing the piano the 'right' way for a bit then do it the 'wrong' way. An immensely talented human being.
I hope The Rollypolies are still around in some form or other. Obviously without Les but performing in his memory and in his honour.
They're not performing these days, but I saw a documentary about Les not too long ago, and they had a little mini-reunion. Those who were able to couldn't resist doing a few steps. :-)
He went only 5 or 6 years after this . Only about 62. Still a young man.
You have to be a supremely talented pianist to be able to play the wrong keys with perfect timing. Look to Victor Borge who was great at this too
saw this as a kid, still funny
One of the best.
what an entertainer.....dont make em like that any more. sadly missed Mr Dawson. x